Readily engageable and disengageable fasteners

ABSTRACT

AN EYE TAPE FOR A HOOK-AND-EYE (OR A STUD-AND-EYE) TAPE-FORM FASTENER COMPRISING THE ASSEMBLY OF AN ELONGATE STRIP OF PLIABLE SHEET MATERIAL, SUCH AS THIN SHEET PLASTIC, HAVING ONE OR MORE LONGITUDINAL ROWS OF EYE-LIKE RECESSES OR OPENINGS STAMPED OR OTHERWISE FORMED THEREON FOR THE RECEPTION OF ONE OR MORE OF THE HOOKS OF THE COMPANION HOOK TAPE (OR STUDS OF THE COMPANION STUD TAPE), ON A FABRIC TAPE OR THE LIKE ARRANGED SO AS TO   PROVIDE AN OPEN-FRONT ENVELOPE OR CARRIER FOR SAID PLASTIC EYE STRIP. SAID PLASTIC EYE STRIP IS SUITABLY SECURED TO SAID FABRIC TAPE AS BY SEWING, HEAT SEALING, GLUING, ETC. A LINING STRIP MAY BE INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC EYE STRIP AND THE UNDERLYING PORTION OF THE FABRIC CARRIER TAPE.

G. wALDL-:s 3,620,130

READILY ENGAGEABLE AND DISENGAGEABLE FASTENERS 20, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet72 www l I I I l l l l I I l I -4 I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I Nov.16,A 1971 Filed oct.

G. WALDES Nov. 16,1971

READILY ENGAGEABLE AND DISENGAGEABLE FASTENERS 3 Sheets-Shoot 3 FiledOct. 20, 1969 INVENTUR .lul

GIOGE WWLE United States Patent Office Patented Nov. 16, 1971 3,620,180READILY ENGAGEABLE AND DISENGAGEABLE FASTENERS George Waldes, Plandome,NX., assigner to Waldes Kohinoor, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y. FiledOct. 20, 1969, Ser. No. 867,597 Int. Cl. A41f 1 00 U.S. Cl. 112-407 11Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An eye tape for a hook-and-eye (or astud-and-eye) tape-form fastener comprising the assembly of an elongatestrip of pliable sheet material, such as thin sheet plastic, having oneor more longitudinal rows of eye-like recesses or openings stamped orotherwise formed thereon for `the reception of one or more of the hooksof the companion hook tape (or studs of the companion stud tape), on afabric tape or the like arranged so as to provide an open-front envelopeor carrier for said plastic eye strip. Said plastic eye strip issuitably secured to said fabric tape as by sewing, heat sealing, gluing,etc. A lining strip may be interposed between the plastic eye strip andthe underlying portion of the fabric carrier tape.

This invention relates to improvements in readily engageable anddisengageable tape-form fasteners for connecting the ends of closurebands or straps, for connecting the opposite end edges themselves andthe opposite edges of openings or plackets to one another, forconnecting one longitudinal edge to a fixed edge, etc., of various andsundry articles of commerce, particularly but not exclusively, femalegarments of the body-encircling type such as brassieres, waist-bands,girdles, corselets and bandeaux; and with regard to its more specificaspects to an improved form of eye tape for hook (or stud)-andeye tapefasteners capable of providing connections and/or closures as aforesaid.

More particularly, as distinguished from the conventional eye tapeconsisting of a plurality of individual metal eyes or eyelets sewn orriveted to a woven textile or fabric carrier tape, an eye tape accordingto the invention comprises the assembly of an elongate strip of thin andpliable yet high-strength sheet material having one or more longitudinalrows of eye-like recesses or openings for the reception of the hooks (orstuds) of a companion hook (or stud) tape stamped or otherwise providedtherein along its length, which strip is assembled at or flush againstand thereupon secured along at least one longitudinal edge to acorresponding longitudinal edge or edge portion of a usuallywoven-fabric carrying tape.

According to the invention, said eye strip may take various structuralforms; it may be fashioned from various suitable sheet materialsincluding without limitation plastic, metal, etc., and it may be securedto its carrier tape in a variety of ways, For example, if made ofplastic, said eye strip may be secured to its carrier tape by one ormore rows of stitches which are sewn through both eye strip and carriertape along at least one corresponding longitudinal edge of each; or theeye strip may be secured to its carrier tape by known heat-sealing and/or gluing procedures, for example.

An eye tape according to the present invention may also be so designedand fashioned as to serve either with a hook tape (or a stud tape) whosehooks (or studs) after entering the eyelike recesses or openings of theeye strip, secure to the latter responsive to movement of said hook (orstud) tape in the direction of the length of the eye tape (as with thehook and eye fasteners of the expired Pats. No. 2,237,022, Andrews,dated Apr. 1,

1941, and No. 2,482,640, Spiess, dated Sept. 20, 1949); or alternativelywith a hook (or stud) tape which secures to the eye tape responsive tomovement of the former transversely of said eye tape (as with thehook-and-eye tape fasteners according to my Pat. No. 3,208,420, datedSept. 28, 1965).

Various structural forms which an eye tape according to the inventionmay take are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are broken-away plan views of relatively short lengthportions of three modified forms of continuous eye tapes according tothe invention, with FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A being vertical sections taken onlines or planes A-A of each, it being explained that each of these formsis designed and fashioned to serve as the eye tape for a hook (orstud)-andeye tape fastener or closure which fastens or engages wiithmovement of the hook tape longitudinally of the eye tape;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar broken-away plan views of relativelyshort-lengths portions of t-wo modified forms of continuous eye tapesaccording to the invention, characterized not alone by the plasticstrips components thereof each having but a single row of hook (or stud)receiving openings or recesses but also (and particularly) by theconfiguration and disposition of said openings as provides for the hooks(or studs) of companion hook tapes being secured by movement of thelatter transversely of the eye tape, as with the hook-and-eye tapefasteners of my aforesaid prior Pat. No. 3,208,420; with FIGS. 5A, 5Band 5C being sections taken on lines AA, B-B and C-C of IFIG. 5; and

lFIG. 6 is a broken away plan view illustrating a modiiied form of eyetape according to the invention, characterized by the plastic eye stripcomponent thereof being secured to its fabric carrying tape along onlyone, i.e. the relatively upper, longitudinal edge thereof, as permitsits opposite edge portion to be swung outwardly away from its carryingtape; and 6A is a section taken on lines A-A of FIG. 6.

In explanation of the terminology continuous eye tape as used in theforegoing, it is contemplated, in accordance with the now standardpractice in the industry, that eye tapes of the invention (and thisapplies also to the hook tapes or the stud tapes used in conjunctiontherewith) will be made up and supplied to garment manufacturers (orother ultimate users) in the form of long indeterminate lengths thereof,from which predetermined fastener lengths as required for the particulargarments or articles for which they are to serve as closures will be cutolf as needed. The advantages and economies attainable by the use ofcontinuous hook-andeye fastener tapes over the older practice offastening bands, straps, the edges of opening edges, etc., by means ofhook and eye fastener elements individually secured by sewing, not `onlyin terms of sim-ple and speedy application but also in terms of correctspacing of the hook and eye elements as insures proper registry thereofwhen applied, will be immediately apparent to workers in the particularart and/ or industry.

Referring now to the several drawing views, an eye tape according to theFIG. 1 form thereof illustratively comprises an elongate, preferablysheet-plastic strip 10 provided with longitudinal rows of hook-receivingstamped-out eyes or eye-like openings such as those designated 11a, 11b,assembled on and secured to a fabric carrying tape 20 to be laterdescribed in greater detail. The eye-like `openings of each row thereofare separated by cross webs or rungs designated 12a, 12b, etc., and therows thereof are in turn separated by a longitudinally extending centralweb or rail 13 and thus the plastic eye strip 10 may be said to havedouble ladder-like configuration.

Preferably, the portions designated 14a, 14b, etc. of the edges of saideye-like openings 11a, 11b, etc., against which the hooks of thecompanion hook tape (or studs of the companion stud tape) are to engageare specially contoured, being shown to have configuration approachingthat of key-hole slots. To protect against the hooks of the hook tapehanging up on one or the other points of intersection of the generallykey-hole shaped portions 14a, 14b, etc., with the transversely extendingedges of the eye-like openings in which said key-hole shaped recessesare formed, said points of intersection are preferably rounded asindicated at 15a, 15b, for example.

While the plastic eye strip 10 has been shown to be provided with twolongitudinal rows of hook-receiving eye-like openings 11a, 11b, etc., asaforesaid, it will be understood that one or more than two rows thereofmay be provided. Further, while said eye-like openings of the pluralrows thereof are shown to be horizontally aligned, as also disposes thehook-engaging edges thereof in horizontal alignment, it is within thepurview of the invention to dispose the eye-like openingsof one row inslightly off-set relation to the openings of the other row (or rows)thereof, as in turn will dispose the hook-engaging edges of thecorresponding openings of the rows in slightly offset relation, ratherthan horizontally aligned as illustrated.

The aforementioned woven-fabric carrier tape to which the plastic eyestrip 10 is assembled preferably has greater width initially than saidplastic eye strip but as -will be seen from a consideration of FIG. 1A,it is so edge-folded as to form an open-front envelope therefor. Whilethe specic manner of folding is optional to a degree, according to thepreferred form thereof shown, both longitudinal side edge portions ofthe tapes are double lapped or folded inwardly on themselves, thus toprovide two thicknesses of tape material which overlie the longitudinalside-edge web portions 18a, 18b of the plastic eye strip 10, whereuponthe tape and plastic strip are secured by longitudinal rows of stitches21, 22 which are sewn through the double lapped or folded portions ofthe tape, said outer-edge web portions 18a, 18h of the plastic strip,and through a strip-form lining 24 interposed between said plastic eyestrip 10 and the body portion of the tape extending `between itsdouble-folded side edge portions. Preferably, said interposed liningstrip is fashioned from a soft material such as plush, annel or thelike, against which the bill of the hook of the companion hook tape orthe head of the stud of the companion stud tape will engage when movinginto and from the hook-receiving openings of the plastic strip.

lPreferably also, the longitudinally extending centerweb or rail portion13 of the plastic eye strip 10 is covered by a central, longitudinallyextending supplementary fabric tape 25 whose side edge portions arein-folded so as to provide double thickness of tape material extendingtherealong and said supplementary fabric tape 25 is secured by rows ofstitches 26, 27 sewn through both said infolded edge portions, the crossrungs 12a, 12b of the eye strip which extend between the hook-receivingeyelike openings of the rows thereof, the interposed backing strip 24and finally the body of the woven-fabric carrying tape 20.

The eye tape shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A is identical to that shown in FIGS.l and 1A, with the exception that the cross-webs or rungs (designated12x, 12y, etc.) which extend transversely between the eye-like hookreceiving openings of the same row thereof are slightly bowed relativelyforwardly from the plane of the eye strip proper, as makes for fast andsure engagement of the hooks of the companion hook tape therewith.

The modified form of eye tape shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A is again basicallythe same as that of the FIGS. 1 and 1A form, the difference being thatboth the hookreceiving eye-like openings 11m, 11n, etc., and the rungsor cross webs 12m, 12u, etc., between the eye-like openings of the rowsthereof are much narrower than in the FIG. 1 form. Accordingly, an eyetape according to the FIG. 3 form approaches in function that of an eyetape of the prior art whose cross webs or rungs are provided by threadsor filaments woven into or otherwise provided in or on a fabric strip orband.

Assuming that eye tapes according to any one of the FIGS. 1-3 forms aremade up as continuous eye tapes but that they have been subsequentlycut-apart into a multiplicity of shorter lengths L as required for aparticular application, it will be understood that each said length L,by virtue of its having four hook-receiving openings in the sarnelongitudinal row or rows thereof, will provide for four steps ofadjustment in the length of the fastener provided by said length L andthe companion hook (or stud) tape, upon the hooks (or studs) of thelatter being received in the appropriate eye strip openings andthereupon moved longitudinally of the tape length, i.e., in thedirection indicated by the hook-ended arrow HA, shown in each said gure.

As distinguished therefrom, eye-tapes according to the FIGS. 4, 5 and 6forms or embodiments of eye-tape now to be described do not asillustrated provide such stepadjusting feature and are further designedfor hook engagement therewith responsive to hook-tape movementtransversely of said eye-tape, lwhich of course is the same movement asthat required for hook and eye connection of the fastener disclosed andclaimed in my aforesaid prior Pat. No. 3,208,420.

More particularly, the plastic eye-strip 40 of the FIGS. 4 and 4A formof eye-tape is provided with two rows of horizontally aligned eye-likeopenings respectively designated 41a, 41b, etc., and 42a, 42b, etc., ofwhich the openings 41a, 41b, etc., of the relatively upper row thereof(as viewed in said gures) are much deeper than the openings 42a, 42b,etc., of the relatively lower row thereof and are separated therefrom bynarrow rungs designated 43a, 43b, etc. Also characterizing the FIGS. 4and 4A form of plastic eye strip is that the webs 44a, 44b, etc.,between the hook receiving eye-like openings 41a, 41b, etc., thereof arecomparatively much wider than in the prior described forms of eye-tapesemploying the plastic eye strip of the invention. The net result ofthese constructional features is that when one or more of the hooks ofthe companion hook tape are initially moved in transverse directiontowards said eye-like openings 41a, 41b, etc., preliminary to hookinglyengaging over said rungs 43a, 43b, etc., in the final movement of saidhooks in the direction of the arrow again designated HA, misengagementof the hooks resulting, for example from two hooks trying to move in thesame eye-like opening is practically impossible since the substantialwidth of said cross 'webs 44a, 44h, etc., prevents such taking place.

FIG. 4 also illustrates that said plastic eye strip 40 is assembled andsecured to its carrying tape 46 (and lining 48) in such relativetransverse disposition of one to the other that the portions of theopenings 42a, 42b, etc., disposed immediately below the aforesaidnarrowwidth rungs 43a, 4311 are uncovered. Such permits the use ofspring hooks on the hook tape which by being free to snap over saidrungs (which they do) function to secure the hooks to the eye-tapewithout any requirement for securement in response to elastic tensionforces being applied to either or both the hook and eye tapes making upthe fastener.

The provision of said openings 42a, 42b, etc., of the lower row thereofin the plastic eye-strip 40 also renders said strip substantially morepliable or flexible along transverse lines than if its longitudinallower edge portions were left imperforate or devoid of said openings. Ofcourse, should greater pliability be required or considered desirable,the plastic eye tape 40 may be transversely scored throughout its fulllength, as is shown in FIG. 5B which illustrates such scoring forpliability applied to the continuous longitudinal side-edge web of theFIG. form of eye-tape next to be described in detail.

In said FIGS. 5 and 5A embodiment of eye tape, the plastic eye stripcomponent 50v thereof is shown as being made up of a lseries oflongitudinally' spaced-apart, upright modified Y formations designated51a, 51b, etc., which are connected in fixed spaced-apart relationshipand are also closed at their upper, wider ends by a continuous,longitudinally extending edge-web 52 (which corresponds generally to theedge-web 18a of the FIG. 1 plastic eye strip), with each two adjacentformations being `further connected by longitudinally alignedshortlength edge-web portions designated 53a, 53b, etc., which in totalprovide an opposite albeit discontinuous edge web.

It will be understood that said series of Y formations 51a, 51b, etc.,being delineated by narrow-width strips or bands of plastic, provide aseries of eye-like openings 54a, 54h, etc. for the reception of one ormore of the hooks of a companion hook tape (or the studs of a cornpanionstud tape), which are substantially wider at their corresponding oneend, i.e., their upper ends, than at their opposite ends, which latterare defined by converging hook (or stud)-engaging edge portions 55a,55h, etc. Such configuration of the eye-like openings 54a, 54b providesfor ready initial entry of the one or more of the hooks (or studs) ofthe companion hook (or stud) tape thereinto, followed by controlled andguided movement of said hook or hooks into the narrow-width ends of saideye-like openings when the hook (or stud) tape is tensioned or moved alimited distance in the direction of the hook-ended arrow HA.

The aforesaid plastic eye-strip 50 is assembled on a fabric carryingtape 56 following which the longitudinal side-edge portions of the tapeare double-lapped or folded over on both the continuous anddiscontinuous longitudinal edge webs of said strip and the assemblyincluding the lining or backing which is interposed between tape andplastic eye strip if used is secured as in sewing, heatsealing orgluing.

Further, as forecast in the foregoing, the continuous longitudinaledge-web S2 of the plastic eye strip 50` may be transversely scored (asshown in FIG. 5B) thus to add pliability to the strips. While thediscontinuous edgeweb defining portions 53a, 53h, etc., are not shown tobe so scored in FIG. 5C because the relatively short length of saidportions makes for inherent moderate pliability of the relativelylower-edge portion of the strip 50, they may also be transversely scoredfor added pliability should the particular application of eye-taperequire same.

Turning now to the FIGS. 6 and 6A embodiment of eye-tape 60, it will beseen therefrom that such has much in common with said described FIGS.5-5C form thereof in that its plastic eye-strip component comprises arunning series of upright, longitudinally-spaced apart, eye-definingformations 61a, 61b, etc., connected in their upright and spaced apartrelationship by a continuous longitudinally extending edge web 62 whichalso serves to close the eyelike openings 64a, 64b, etc., defined bysaid formations at their upper ends. However, in contrast to the FIGS.S-SC embodiment, said eye-defining formations 61a, 61b, etc., havegeneral U-shape and they are neither connected one to another at theirrelatively lower ends nor are they sewn or otherwise secured to thefabric carrying tape 66 of the assembly at their said lower ends.Instead the plastic eye strip 60 is secured to its fabric carrying tape66, only along one i.e. its relatively upper longitudinal edge, whichlongitudinal side edge as defined by its aforesaid continuous side-edgeweb 62. Such in practical effect provides that the lower unsecured edgeportion of the plastic edge strip may be swung away from or outwardly ofits fabric carrying tape 66, in much the same manner as the usuallymetal eye portion of a ladys stocking supporter is free to swing awayfrom its companion button-or-stud carrying tape.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the separate lining or backing strippreferably used in the prior described embodiments may be dispensedwith, and its function served by providing the fabric carrying tape 66with the extra width necessary therefor and in folding its relativelylower side edge so that it extends as a substantially full-width innerply 66a disposed between the rear face of the plastic eye strip 60 andthe body portion proper of the tape 66.

It will be understood that except for the feature of the lower edgeportion of its plastic edge strip 60 being free to swing away oroutwardly from its carrying tape 66, the eye-tape according to FIGS. 6and 6A embodiment performs in substantially the manner as the FIGS. 5-5Cform of eye-tape yet it may be fabricated much more economically, sinceonly one row of stitching is required to secure the plastic eye strip toits fabric tape, and the cost factor involved in providing and properlyrelating a separate lining strip during the assembly operation is doneaway with.

Without further analysis, it will be appreciated that the inventionprovides an eye-tape for a hook-and-eye (or a stud-and-eye) tape-formfastener that is practical, economical and effective to a high degree.

Accordingly, I make the following claims for said invention:

1. In a hook (or stud)andeye tape-form fastener, an eye tape comprisingthe assembly of an elongate ladderform strip of thin, pliable sheetplastic having at least one row of hook (or stud) receiving eye-likeopenings provided therein, a colinear woven-fabric carrier tapeproviding an open-front envelope therefor, and means permanentlysecuring said ladder-form plastic strip and fabric carrier tape togetherin overlying-underlying relationship, corresponding edges of saideye-like openings being so specially formed and/or configured in part asto provide hook (or stud)engaging rungs.

2. An eye tape according to claim 1, wherein said correspondinghook-engaging edges extend transversely across the said elongate plasticstrip.

3. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said correspondinghook-engaging edges are disposed lengthwise of the plastic strip.

4. An eye tape according to claim 1, wherein said thin plastic eye-stripis provided with plural rows of eye-like openings, and wherein said rowsare separated one from the other by a relatively narrow-widthlongitudinal sheetplastic web and said web is covered by a narrow stripof woven fabric superimposed thereon and secured to said fabric tape andany intervening portions of said eye-strip.

5. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said woven fabric carriertape is edge-lapped over at least one longitudinal side-edge portion ofthe sheet plastic eyestrip, and said eye-strip-to-carrier tape securingmeans is effective between said edge-lapped portion of said carriertape, said carrier-tape proper and the edge portion of said plasticeye-strip lapped by said carrier tape as aforesaid.

6. An eye-tape according to claim 3, wherein two rows of eye-likeopenings are provided, the openings of the rows being horizontallyaligned and being separated by narrow-width rung-like webs which extendin the direction of the length of the eye tape and over which the hooksof the companion hook tape are adapted to snap.

7. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said plastic eye stripcomprises a running series of upright, longitudinally spaced apartopen-top formations defining hook-receiving eye-like openings which areconnected and closed at their relatively upper ends by a continuoussideedge web, and wherein each two adjacent formations of thelongitudinal series thereof are connected at their opposite ends bylongitudinal edge-web portions which together define a discontinuousedge web for the closed ends of said formations.

8. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said plastic eye-stripcomprises a running series of upright,

longitudinally spaced-apart generally U-shaped formations which areconnected at their relatively upper ends only and are moreover closed bya continuous edge web, said plastic eye-stripto-fabric carrier tapesecuring means being effective only between said continuous edge web andsaid carrier tape, whereby the opposite edge portion of the plasticeye-strip being unsecured may swing forwardly from the plane of thefabric carrier tape about its aforesaid secured edge.

9. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein a lining strip of softermaterial than that of said carrier tape is interposed between saidplastic eye-strip and the carrier tape and is also secured by theaforesaid securing means.

10. An eye-tape according to claim 8, wherein said carrier tape hasextra width and is folded over on itself to form a ply which extends asa liner between said plastic eye-strip and the carrier-tape proper.

11. In a hook (or stud)andeye tape-form fastener, an eye tape comprisingthe assembly of an elongate ladderform strip of thin pliable sheetplastic having at least one row of hook (or stud) receiving eye-likeopenings provided therein and being separated one from the other bycross-web portions providing transverse hook-engaging edges, a colinearwoven-fabric carrier tape providing an open-front envelope for said thinplastic strip, and means permanently securing said ladder-form plasticstrip and said fabric carrier tape together in overlying-underlyingrelationship, said hook-engaging edges on said cross-Web portions beingbowed forwardly from the plane of said plastic strip proper.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,854,125 4/1932 Faber 24-206 R X2,397,801 4/ 1946 Mitchell 2265 UX 2,482,846 9/1949 Fox 24-206 R2,746,412 5/1956 Roseman 2-265 X 2,802,215 8/1957 Alfandre 112-4073,208,420 9/1965 Waldes 112-407 ALFRED R. GUEST, Primary Examiner U.S.Cl. X.R. 2-265

